Pilot History
Louis J. Connelly, Jr. was born 7 Jan 1911. Prewar, he was employed by Philippine Air Lines (PAL) as a pilot in the Philippines and flew with "Pappy" Gun.

Aircraft History
Built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation (LAC) in Burbank. Constructors Number 222-5340. Converted
from a E model into a F-4
photographic reconnaissance version. Delivered to the U. S. Army. Disassembled and shipped overseas to Australia and reassembled.

Mission History On May 4, 1942 took off Garbutt Field near Townsville piloted by Captain Louis J. Connelly, Jr. on a flight northward to 14 Mile Drome (Schwimmer) near Port Moresby. After landing and refueling, this F-4 took off again on a photographic reconnaissance mission over Rabaul. When this Lightning failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Presumed lost over Lae. Officially, this aircraft was condemned on October 31, 1944.

Ralph K. Watts diary via F-4 Lost on a photo reconnaissance raid to Rabaul on May 4, 1942:
"Tuesday May 5, 1942 - Well I got my plane out of the tullies today. It is a wash-out from the cockpit to the front end. We hope to get the materials and get her flying eventually. Well yesterday was bad day. Capt. Conolly is 24 hour overdue. He was sent to Rabaul and never returned. There are three possibilities. (1) The Japs got him. (2) He made a forced landing on land or sea. (3) He bailed out and landed on land or sea. We are hoping for the best but it looks doubtful. He may be our first combat death."

On this day, there was bad weather reported over Lae. Enemy action from Lae does not list a claim or sighting for a Lightning over Lae.

Memorials
Connelly was officially declared dead the day of the mission. He earned the Silver Star and Purple Heart, posthumously. Connelly is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. He also has a memorial marker at Portlock Cemetery in Portsmouth, VA at plot 1, 49.